There was no Eoin Morgan-like standout this time, but England still cruised to a comfortable four-wicket win to take a 2-0 lead in the series. From Stuart Broad's three early wickets to an impressive Andrew Strauss half-century, to a coasting partnership from Paul Collingwood and Morgan to confirm the result, it was a thoroughly professional victory for the hosts.

On a day when Australia installed a Labor prime minister born in Wales, the nation's cricketers laboured in Wales for no such reward. Cameron White ground out one of his least attractive half-centuries to drive Australia to 239 for 7 but that was never going to be enough on a surface that, while a little slow, was no minefield.

The Australian batsmen struggled to time the ball and their innings was full of thick edges and jarring woody clunks. As in Southampton, Shane Watson the only man who struck the ball cleanly but when he departed for 57, they were sent into a holding pattern from which they never really emerged.

It left their newish attack with too few runs to defend - not that the bowlers helped themselves. Clint McKay, who was included ahead of Josh Hazlewood, sent down two no-balls in his first over and Strauss murdered the free hits, with an uncharacteristically muscular six back over the bowler's head and a four driven over wide mid off.

Those efforts helped Strauss find his touch and he moved briskly to a half-century at exactly a run a ball, before he was caught and bowled off a leading edge to Nathan Hauritz for 51. He had combined with Kevin Pietersen for a 68-run second-wicket stand that set the tone for the rest of the chase.

Pietersen played within himself but still managed 33 off 38, having seen nothing threatening from McKay, Doug Bollinger and James Hopes. He pounced on anything short and found the boundary four times before he fell to a stunning catch from Ricky Ponting, who leapt off the ground at midwicket, flung his right hand high above his head and plucked a wicket for Steven Smith.

Ponting's celebration was muted. He knew that further miracles were required with so few runs to defend, and when Morgan and Collingwood settled in to a steady rhythm the result was all but decided. There was one special moment for Collingwood, who with a single to fine leg passed Alec Stewart to become England's all-time leading run scorer in one-day internationals.

Collingwood departed for 48 and Morgan for 52, both to Bollinger, but any sniff Australia were given was quickly snuffed out. England's allrounders Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann saw them over the line with 28 balls to spare and Swann brought up the win with a six over mid off.

The result will make it very difficult for Australia to come back and win the series, and on the evidence of the first two games it's their batsmen who need to lift the most. The bowlers are still learning at international level, but an experienced batting group has failed to set a big enough target in either match.

The early wickets from Broad, who celebrated his 24th birthday in style, set the Australians back significantly. When Tim Paine tickled a legside catch to Craig Kieswetter, it made Broad the youngest man to reach 100 ODI wickets for England. His next two breakthroughs were much more convincing.

Ponting was on 13 when he received a lovely cross-seam ball that bounced more than he anticipated and a thick edge was accepted by Kieswetter. Michael Clarke (1) was the victim of a well-laid plan when Strauss brought in a short leg, Broad duly dug in a bouncer, and Clarke could do nothing but prod a catch to Swann under the helmet.

White and Smith steadied the innings but, for men who are renowned as power hitters, battled to find the boundary. There was one slog-swept six from White off Swann but apart from that, neither man went after the spinners. Even when the late batting Powerplay arrived they could only scrounge 33 from it.

Smith made 41 and White saw the innings through to its conclusion with an unbeaten 86 from 98 balls, but it was reminiscent of Clarke's scratchy anchoring role in the first game. What they really need is for Watson to bat through until the late overs.

He began with three fours in the first over and looked in form until, for the second time in three days, he was caught off a top edge. From that moment on, England were on top. They can wrap up the series in Manchester on Sunday.

i think its gr8 2 see australia losing australia deserve this after winning icc champions trophy they were very overconfident well done england n i hope aussies will not reach even semis this time in wc............

dummy4fb
on June 26, 2010, 6:11 GMT

Nice going ENGLAND! well done boys this is a lessen for all the teams that they can improve and go back up to the big league.

dummy4fb
on June 25, 2010, 14:15 GMT

It's sad to see the decline of Aussie Warriors,it's a sad truth which we have to accept just like the fall of West Indian invincibles

Ponting we Indians are with you...try your best ..dosn't matter you win or lose..

SnowSnake
on June 25, 2010, 11:52 GMT

There is a serious problem with the batsmen in the world cricket-- they don't retire and have to be pushed out. Ganguly, and Hayden are good examples. Now, it is Dravid, Hussey, Ponting. Dravid has been pushed out of ODIs. Hussey and Ponting are dragging Aus. down. Yes, Aus. bowling is inexperienced, but there is no reason for Aus. batting to show poor performance. In recent ODIs, Aus'. young batsmen are doing really well. If Aus. loses this series then Ponting should be fired from captaincy and Clark should be brought in.

JimDavis
on June 25, 2010, 10:02 GMT

Setting targets and bowling second are our current weak points, I've 100% confidence in our batting line up to chase down any total, but very little confidence in our bowlers getting us a result. In that respect (and with a world cup around the corner) I'm happy to see the team putting themselves into these situations when winning the toss, even if the environment dictates they should bowl first. It might mean a few harsh lessons now, but being in the firing line is the quickest way for guys like McKay to learn. Hopefully we see the success of this strategy in India.

diri
on June 25, 2010, 9:12 GMT

simple.....we watching the best england team off all time v the weakest aussie team off all time, time for ponting to leave gracefully

daworm
on June 25, 2010, 9:07 GMT

I think the Aussie selectors are missing a trick not opening with Warner. Not sure what Paines doing opening. Just because hes a keeper doesnt mean hes Gilchrist. Wouldnt mind seeing D.Hussey for Clarke either.

Leggie
on June 25, 2010, 8:47 GMT

India can learn a lesson or two from the England selectors.., the way they have nurtured and realized the true potential of a young budding fast bowler - Stuart Broad. Stuart Broad is 24 and this is probably the right time for a young fast bowler to start delivering results. He has been in the side for almost three years now, and in these three years it was evident that England was only "investing" for the future. His performances were ordinary, but he was still persisted. It's a tribute to the selectors for spotting talent and sticking to it. They didn't flinch - even when Stuart Braod got into the record books for the wrong reasons - for being hit for 6 sixers in a over. Compare that to how Ishant Sharma has been handled and you will know what I am talking about. Fast bowlers need to be protected and preserved for a long haul, and England has done just that.

upsrockstar
on June 25, 2010, 8:38 GMT

Another clinical performance from England completely shattering the confidence of the Aussies.Broad after the pasting he got from Yuvraj has truly become world class and is a vital cog in England squad.In the batting department Strauss & Morgan chipped in with good knocks.For Australia their batting has let them down again.Ponting is looking completely out of sorts and for the past one year his form & average has dipped considerably.I don't know why James Hopes is in the team,his batting is pathetic so the Australians should include the burly Andrew Symonds in the team if they have any desire to win future series,but for this they will be crushed 5-0 by the Englishmen.

Rag-Aaron
on June 25, 2010, 8:37 GMT

Perhaps this is no surprise. While Australia were being lauded for their unbeaten summer last year maybe they should have paid more attention to who they were playing, ie, the two teams in most turmoil in world cricket. They played NZ straight after and while the Aussies won the ODI series, it was only by 3-2 - and it's not like we're the kings of cricket down here in New Zealand at the moment either

dummy4fb
on June 26, 2010, 6:27 GMT

i think its gr8 2 see australia losing australia deserve this after winning icc champions trophy they were very overconfident well done england n i hope aussies will not reach even semis this time in wc............

dummy4fb
on June 26, 2010, 6:11 GMT

Nice going ENGLAND! well done boys this is a lessen for all the teams that they can improve and go back up to the big league.

dummy4fb
on June 25, 2010, 14:15 GMT

It's sad to see the decline of Aussie Warriors,it's a sad truth which we have to accept just like the fall of West Indian invincibles

Ponting we Indians are with you...try your best ..dosn't matter you win or lose..

SnowSnake
on June 25, 2010, 11:52 GMT

There is a serious problem with the batsmen in the world cricket-- they don't retire and have to be pushed out. Ganguly, and Hayden are good examples. Now, it is Dravid, Hussey, Ponting. Dravid has been pushed out of ODIs. Hussey and Ponting are dragging Aus. down. Yes, Aus. bowling is inexperienced, but there is no reason for Aus. batting to show poor performance. In recent ODIs, Aus'. young batsmen are doing really well. If Aus. loses this series then Ponting should be fired from captaincy and Clark should be brought in.

JimDavis
on June 25, 2010, 10:02 GMT

Setting targets and bowling second are our current weak points, I've 100% confidence in our batting line up to chase down any total, but very little confidence in our bowlers getting us a result. In that respect (and with a world cup around the corner) I'm happy to see the team putting themselves into these situations when winning the toss, even if the environment dictates they should bowl first. It might mean a few harsh lessons now, but being in the firing line is the quickest way for guys like McKay to learn. Hopefully we see the success of this strategy in India.

diri
on June 25, 2010, 9:12 GMT

simple.....we watching the best england team off all time v the weakest aussie team off all time, time for ponting to leave gracefully

daworm
on June 25, 2010, 9:07 GMT

I think the Aussie selectors are missing a trick not opening with Warner. Not sure what Paines doing opening. Just because hes a keeper doesnt mean hes Gilchrist. Wouldnt mind seeing D.Hussey for Clarke either.

Leggie
on June 25, 2010, 8:47 GMT

India can learn a lesson or two from the England selectors.., the way they have nurtured and realized the true potential of a young budding fast bowler - Stuart Broad. Stuart Broad is 24 and this is probably the right time for a young fast bowler to start delivering results. He has been in the side for almost three years now, and in these three years it was evident that England was only "investing" for the future. His performances were ordinary, but he was still persisted. It's a tribute to the selectors for spotting talent and sticking to it. They didn't flinch - even when Stuart Braod got into the record books for the wrong reasons - for being hit for 6 sixers in a over. Compare that to how Ishant Sharma has been handled and you will know what I am talking about. Fast bowlers need to be protected and preserved for a long haul, and England has done just that.

upsrockstar
on June 25, 2010, 8:38 GMT

Another clinical performance from England completely shattering the confidence of the Aussies.Broad after the pasting he got from Yuvraj has truly become world class and is a vital cog in England squad.In the batting department Strauss & Morgan chipped in with good knocks.For Australia their batting has let them down again.Ponting is looking completely out of sorts and for the past one year his form & average has dipped considerably.I don't know why James Hopes is in the team,his batting is pathetic so the Australians should include the burly Andrew Symonds in the team if they have any desire to win future series,but for this they will be crushed 5-0 by the Englishmen.

Rag-Aaron
on June 25, 2010, 8:37 GMT

Perhaps this is no surprise. While Australia were being lauded for their unbeaten summer last year maybe they should have paid more attention to who they were playing, ie, the two teams in most turmoil in world cricket. They played NZ straight after and while the Aussies won the ODI series, it was only by 3-2 - and it's not like we're the kings of cricket down here in New Zealand at the moment either

ujan.s
on June 25, 2010, 8:00 GMT

it's nothing to do with d batting.....it's quite alright! but da only thing dat worries me as an aussie fan is their bowling attack. it's quite clear dat without a better pace attack it'll be dead difficult for australia to turn around in the series! i knew dat exclusion of nannes and tait will make australia pay sooner or later......it's a pity dat da fact is quite apparent this early!

akshayUNITED
on June 25, 2010, 7:36 GMT

England have found their touch..& just when the WC is 6 months away...Its good to see the dominant Aussies being constantly hammered..

Lava_Ind
on June 25, 2010, 7:32 GMT

@popcorn - Wake up, At the beginning of the series I though Aussies are playing with a 10 man team (- clarke that is). now they are playing witih a 2 men team (Bollinger,Watson ). I am not sure what others are doing. Is Ricky in there as a specialist fielder. I Pity but Appreciate your optimism.

sircha
on June 25, 2010, 7:20 GMT

Australia should not worry about these defeats as they are in the process of testing their inexperienced bowling attack.England on the other hand, have just about settled on the perfect combination after their T20 dominance in the Carribean.But I still feel this English bowling attack would be a lot less penetrative without Stuart Broad whose been the best of the pack.He's come a long way since the time when he went for six sixes in an over at the T20 WC 2007.I think Australia should still be able to pose a stiff challenge for the English if they play out Broad carefully.And there's a strange feeling that Shane Watson is the man who could turn things around in favour of the Aussies.

AD_Sonic
on June 25, 2010, 7:03 GMT

Ant team in the world would struggle with their best six bowlers unfit..- Johnson,Lee,Hilfy,Siddle,Harris,Tait.... Why does no one see that??? But anyway Aussie batsmen are letting them down.. Their experienced batters really should do more...They need to shrug off the rust and play like they normally do... if so Aussies will be Winning...

ratee
on June 25, 2010, 6:48 GMT

Australian team had been over rated for sometime. Other teams have been too weak and meekly, which no one seriously analyzed. The Australian team had failed so many times in batting against Pakistan in the last series but because of 30 catches dropped by Pakistan in the series they used to recover from losing situations. The so-called experts did point out the some weakness in batting but overlooked the fact that this Australian team had some fundamental flaws in technique and stable batting ability as compared to the previous Aussie teams, even when they were facing Pakistan!

I can see a fundamental error in most of the batting techniques of Aussie batsmen and I think they will be exposed in English conditions as England has the bowlers to trouble any team. Secondly they have the belief that they can beat Australia, while the other world teams have been over whelmed by the media over-estimation of this Australian side and lack of self-belief that they are very much beatable.

popcorn
on June 25, 2010, 5:24 GMT

Ricky Ponting's catch of Pitersen was spectacular. He has done tbhis several times, and is an example for every cricketer in the world to follow. I have earlier pictures of his breath-taking catches. Mind you he is 35, fully fit, and what can you say more about a Captain and Leader who has a raw bowling attack? Yet, I predict the Aussies will come from befhind and win this Series.

dummy4fb
on June 25, 2010, 5:01 GMT

its declined time for aussies.
since the semi final of t20 there battng is declining.
i hope they did well in future but who knows.well done england.

Nerk
on June 25, 2010, 4:30 GMT

doesn't matter! We'll kick them when it counts! Bring on the Ashes!

redneck
on June 25, 2010, 2:28 GMT

well my predictions out the window, england might be the real deal after all! the aussie batting isnt putting enough runs on the board!!!

dummy4fb
on June 25, 2010, 0:56 GMT

good, oz please wake up from your slumber and flabbergasting.
shut your mouth and do the job on hand, ponty are u hearing

dummy4fb
on June 24, 2010, 23:20 GMT

Imagine that, the Aussies government being lead by an overseas player.
Oh the irony.

dummy4fb
on June 24, 2010, 22:37 GMT

If England continues this form and winning streak, they might lift the World Cup in 2011 too. This side is the best English team I've seen so far.

bobmartin
on June 24, 2010, 21:38 GMT

Not really very much to say really. The one thing that does surprise me is how badly the Aussie batting has performed thus far, after all this is pretty much a full strength line-up. Secondly, if this bowling attack is the best they have as replacements for the injured first choices, the much vaunted Aussie strength in depth looks pretty flimsy.
However, we all know how the Aussies fight when their backs are to the wall..so let's not write them off just yet.

Cricinfouser
on June 24, 2010, 21:11 GMT

Watching this game was a lot like watching an England vs. Australia any time between around 1993 and the mid-2000s. Only difference was that Australia are now looking like the team that has no answers for the English juggernaut. The English bowlers controlled the Australian innings and Australia's own bowlers looked like county trundlers unlikely to get wickets at the key moments. How things have changed...

dummy4fb
on June 24, 2010, 21:10 GMT

Everything Is Turning Upside Down

australia become normal or what ?

landl47
on June 24, 2010, 21:10 GMT

Good effort from Doug Bollinger, but the batting, which is supposed to be Australia's strength, just didn't get it done. No matter who was bowling, Australia weren't going to hold England to under 239.
Those who didn't think this was a good England side might be starting to realize that they were wrong.

No featured comments at the moment.

landl47
on June 24, 2010, 21:10 GMT

Good effort from Doug Bollinger, but the batting, which is supposed to be Australia's strength, just didn't get it done. No matter who was bowling, Australia weren't going to hold England to under 239.
Those who didn't think this was a good England side might be starting to realize that they were wrong.

dummy4fb
on June 24, 2010, 21:10 GMT

Everything Is Turning Upside Down

australia become normal or what ?

Cricinfouser
on June 24, 2010, 21:11 GMT

Watching this game was a lot like watching an England vs. Australia any time between around 1993 and the mid-2000s. Only difference was that Australia are now looking like the team that has no answers for the English juggernaut. The English bowlers controlled the Australian innings and Australia's own bowlers looked like county trundlers unlikely to get wickets at the key moments. How things have changed...

bobmartin
on June 24, 2010, 21:38 GMT

Not really very much to say really. The one thing that does surprise me is how badly the Aussie batting has performed thus far, after all this is pretty much a full strength line-up. Secondly, if this bowling attack is the best they have as replacements for the injured first choices, the much vaunted Aussie strength in depth looks pretty flimsy.
However, we all know how the Aussies fight when their backs are to the wall..so let's not write them off just yet.

dummy4fb
on June 24, 2010, 22:37 GMT

If England continues this form and winning streak, they might lift the World Cup in 2011 too. This side is the best English team I've seen so far.

dummy4fb
on June 24, 2010, 23:20 GMT

Imagine that, the Aussies government being lead by an overseas player.
Oh the irony.

dummy4fb
on June 25, 2010, 0:56 GMT

good, oz please wake up from your slumber and flabbergasting.
shut your mouth and do the job on hand, ponty are u hearing

redneck
on June 25, 2010, 2:28 GMT

well my predictions out the window, england might be the real deal after all! the aussie batting isnt putting enough runs on the board!!!

Nerk
on June 25, 2010, 4:30 GMT

doesn't matter! We'll kick them when it counts! Bring on the Ashes!

dummy4fb
on June 25, 2010, 5:01 GMT

its declined time for aussies.
since the semi final of t20 there battng is declining.
i hope they did well in future but who knows.well done england.